The last moments of Garrett Styles’ life were caught on police radio: ‘I’ve got a car on top of me. Help. Help me’

The scene where a York Regional Police officer died after being struck by a vehicle and trapped underneath it during a traffic stop at HYW 48 and Herald Rd east of Newmarket, Ontario on Tuesday, June 28, 2011.

By:Robyn Doolittlestaff reporter, Published on Wed Jun 29 2011

Pinned beneath a stolen minivan and struggling to breathe, Const. Garrett Styles reached for the police radio fixed to his shoulder and called for help.

The 26 minutes that followed — the final moments of the 32-year-old officer’s life — were captured in a chilling audio recording.

The tragic events began just before 5 a.m. Tuesday. Styles, a seven-year veteran with York Regional Police, spotted a suspicious vehicle just east of Newmarket. He pulled over the van. A 15-year-old was behind the wheel.

Styles reached for the keys. The van accelerated. Styles was dragged 300 metres before the van flipped over.

The 15-year-old was taken to Sick Kids Hospital with serious injuries. The three other youths in the van are cooperating with police.

In the last moments of his life, Styles does not think just of himself. Three times he tells emergency crews that the teenagers might also be injured.

D: EMS is on scene, guys. EMS is on scene. PS-10. It’s Herald and 48. Just south of Herald on 48.

D: Is a unit with him now?

D: (inaudible) and 1175 are almost at 48 now on Davis, Garrett.

GS: Thank you.

(inaudible)

Unit: 1135, sorry.

D: Everything 10-4?

1135: All 10-4 thanks.

D: The units are just about with you. They’re coming up 48 right now around from Davis.

GS: I just need this truck off me.

D: I know. They’re coming. You must hear them now. They’re just about at you.

Other car: (inaudible)

D: Any unit arriving on scene. Please update as soon as you can.

Other car: On scene, paramedics are here. It’s about five to six metres off the south ditch off of Herald Rd. Officers are arriving.

5:13 a.m.

Other unit: Everyone be advised, I’m with P.C. Styles’ car. It is way south of the accident.

At 5:17 a.m., the ambulance was just about to leave. Styles was conscious when he was moved into the ambulance, but his condition deteriorated quickly en route to nearby Southlake Regional Health Centre.

He was pronounced dead at hospital.

Transcription by Michael Woods

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.